Bill Belichick Watches Nick Williams Work At UConn Pro Day

Pasqualoni Says WR Has Some Wes Welker Characteristics

STORRS — — As Nick Williams was learning to play inside slot receiver last season, UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni wasn't shy about comparing his player's potential to that of the man who defined the position in the NFL.

So imagine the scene at UConn Pro Football Test Day Wednesday when the player mentioned in the same breath as Wes Welker was auditioning for a group of talent evaluators that included none other than Bill Belichick. As Williams was running through a pass catching drill, Pasqualoni stood on the periphery with the man who coached Welker with the Patriots.

"That was pretty interesting," Williams said. "I was fired up when I found out he was coming. An opportunity to work out in front of him is not something you can do every day. I was very fired up, especially with — although I think they're a little lofty — the Welker comparisons."

It remains to be seen if Williams finds a shot at the slot in the NFL, but he takes solace in the stories of guys such as Welker. Undrafted out of college, Welker carved out a career as a kick returner and emerged as a prolific slot receiver under Belichick.

Williams, one of 14 seniors who participated in Pro Day at the Burton Family Football Complex, has demonstrated an ability to return kicks. But UConn began using him at slot receiver last season and he's still learning the position.

Still, Pasqualoni is bullish on Williams' NFL prospects.

"I think he's going to open some eyes and he's going to surprise people with his ability to return a punt and return a kickoff," Pasqualoni said. "He has a way of doing it. And he will develop into being a good inside slot receiver."

Pasqualoni said Williams will improve as a receiver with repetition and experience. And he's willing to tell any NFL talent evaluator — even Belichick — about Williams' potential.

"He's that inside slot guy who really hasn't had enough experience there yet," Pasqualoni said. "We kind of put him in there last year, but you don't do it in one year. This is not a microwave oven where you throw it in, set the timer and in a short period of time you're done."

There were 29 teams represented at UConn Wednesday — only Dallas, Washington and Minnesota were absent — and Williams seemed to open some eyes with a 37-inch vertical leap. His unofficial time in the 40-yard dash was 4.56, but Williams said he generally does not time well and believes he play faster than his times.

Williams is listed at 5-feet-10, but he demonstrated an ability to take a hit during his time at UConn. And he can point to players such as Welker (5-9) and new Patriot Danny Amendola (5-10) as successful NFL slot receivers who seemingly lack size and burner speed.

"It just shows you that it's been done before," Williams said. "I'm not trailblazing right now. Guys like me have done it and been successful. Guys who don't run 4.3's have gone on to the NFL ... and had great careers, so you just have to put your mind to it, believe and hopefully you get an opportunity and make the most of it."

Wreh-Wilson Improves In 40

UConn's four players who participated in the NFL scouting combine last month (Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Dwayne Gratz, Sio Moore and Trevardo Williams) did not test in all events Wednesday, electing to keep their result from Indianapolis. Wreh-Wilson did run the 40 and enhanced his standing, posting unofficial times of 4.40 and 4.32.

Wreh-Wilson ran the 40 in 4.53 at the combine and his performance Wednesday created a buzz among evaluators.

"I know I'm an athlete, I trust my ability, so I just came out here to showcase what I can do," Wreh-Wilson said. "You've got to be in your zone; you can't take yourself out of your zone."

Wreh-Wilson said he has recently thought about late teammate Jasper Howard, who was fatally stabbed in 2009.

"I remember one time before I even thought I could make it to the NFL, he told me I could," Wreh-Wilson said. "He was like, you're fast, you have size ... and it's the stuff that I'm hearing now. He was the person that saw that in me before I even did."